Bread raising cabinet



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Patented' Feb. 14, 1939 2,147,024

UNITED sTATEs PATENT OFFICE BREAD RAISING CABINET Enos C. Frisk,Somerset, Wis. Application December 18, 1936, Serial No. 116,543

2 Claims. (Cl. 177-311) My invention relates to dough raising cabinetscabinet with rectangular side walls 6, rear wall 1, for the raising ofbread dough, biscuit dough, etc. top wall 8, bottom wall 9 and frontwall I0. The It has been found that superior results may be front wall Iextends from the lower limits of obtained in the raising of bread doughif the the cabinet only a short distance upwardly and 5 dough ismaintained at a suitable temperature above the same. A cabinet door IIis provided 5 until such time as the bread has raised to the hinged atits lower edge to the front wall III and desired extent. In connectionwith domestic bread provided at its upper edge with a latch I Ia. Pref'making suitable means for maintaining such conerably the door I I isprovided with a transparent ditions is not usually available. centralportion IIb, through which a view of the l0 An object of my invention isto provide appainterior of the cabinet is afforded. The lower wall 10ratus for domestic use in eectively and economi- 9 is provided with alining 9a thereabove, prefercally maintaining bread dough at atemperature ably formed of material resistent to heat and conducive tothe best results during raising of the constituting electricalinsulation. dough, Means is provided within the cabinet O for sup- Amore specific object is to provide a breadporting materials to be heatedtherein. For this l5 raising or dough-proofing cabinet includingautopurpose, I provide shelves or platforms which are matic means for socontrolling heating means deectable upwardly and downwardly. Theplattherefor that a substantially constant predeterforms consist offrames l2 located one above the mined temperature will be maintainedwhile other, as shown, and pivotally connected at their dough isdisposed in the cabinet and no heat will rear edge portions to verticalmembers I3 secured 20 be produced when no dough is in the cabinet. tothe inner side of the rear wall 'I of the cabinet Another object is toprovide such a cabinet in- O. The frame I2 is obviously angularlyswingable cluding indicating means for automatically indiupwardly anddownwardly. Means is provided eating when dough therein has raised to apredewhereby the respective frames I2 will be deflected termined extent,upwardly and downwardly in unison. For this 25 Still another object isto provide a cabinet inpurpose, Vertical'membels l5 are provided and arecluding such indicating means which is adjustable pivotally connected t0the respective frames I2 by to accommodate various thicknesses of doughand pivot pins ISa. The vertical elements I5 are 1oto produce anindication on attainment of various cated at the forward portions of theend edges of 3D degrees of raising of the dough. the frame I2 and extenddownwardly to points 80 A further object is to provide such a cabinet of0105615 adjacent the lower wall I0. Panels I6 simple, compact, light andinexpensive construcformed of recticulated material, such as an astiomsembly of cross bars forming grids are removably These and other objectsand advantages of the SllpDOrted by the frames l2. Yieldable means isinvention will be more fully set forth in the folprovided t0 urge theframes l2 upwardly. For 85 lowing description made in connection withthe this purpose, I provide helCal teIlSiOn Springs l1 accompanyingdrawings, in' which like reference disposed adjacent the respective ends0f the Upper characters refers to similar parts throughout the one ofthe frames I2 and connected between the several views, and, in which:-ends of the frames I2 and anchoring elements I8 40 Fig. l is a partiallybroken away front view of dSpOSed thereabove and secured to therespective 40 a cabinet embodying my invention; end walls 6 of thecabinet O.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken along Means is provided forheating the inner space the line 2 2 of Fig. 1, as indicated by thearrows 0f the Cabinet O, and plefelabli7 such means conanddiagrammatically showing the electrical con- SiStS 0f an electricalheating element. An elecnections involved in my cabinet; trical heatingelement I 9, in the form of a helical 45 Fig. 3 is a vertical sectionalview taken along coiled piece of resistance wire of relatively low theline 3--3 of Fig. 2, as indicated by the arrows; capacity, is mountedjust above the lining 9a of a Fig. 4 is a broken view to enlarged scaleof a bottom wall 9. This heating element is supported portion of theautomatic indicating means. of my by spools 2U and cleats 2i disposed,as shown, and

cab1net;and suitably secured to the lining 9a. A terminal 50 Fig. 5 is asectional view taken along the line block 22 is provided at the rear ofthe cabinet vO 5 5 of Fig. 4, as indicated by the arrows. and is securedto the lining 9a. The terminal Referring to the drawings, my inventionis block 22 includes four terminals 22a, 22h, 22e and shown incorporatedin a cabinet O. While this 22d. The respective ends of the heatingelements cabinet may be of various forms, I have shown a I9 areconnected to the respective terminals 22a Y f2s and 22h and therespective terminals 22e and 22d are connected through wires 23 and anelectrical tting 2e to an electrical cord 25, which is adapted to beconnected to/ a suitable source of electrical energy.

Means is provided responsive to upward and downward deflection of theshelves S for closing the supply circuit to the heating element i9 whenthe shelves S are moved downwardly and opening the circuitwhen theshelves S are moved upwardly. For this purpose, a switcht is mounted onthe lining 9a below the lower shelf S. This switch is preferably of thetoggle type having a vertically movable operating toggle or handle 26a.The switch handle 26a is connected through a link 2l to an element 28mounted on a cross member 2,9 secured to the lower side of the frame l2of the lower shelf S. The switch 2S is so arranged as to will controlthe delivery of electrical energy to the heating element I9.

Means is provided for so controlling the heating element i9 when theswitch 2S is closed, that the heating element i9 will be alternatelyenergized and de-energized in such manner that a substantially constantpredeterminedtemperature will be maintained within the cabinet O, Forthis purpose, a4 thermostatically operated electrical device 3l ismounted on the upper portion of the rear wall l of the cabinet O so asto be subject to the temperatures prevailing in the interior space ofthe cabinet O. The thermostatic device 3l is connected through wires 32to the respective terminals 22a and 22o of the terminal block 22,whereby the thermostatic device 3l may control the delivery of theelectric energy to the heating element ld during such periods of time asthe switch 26 is in closed position. Means is provided for indicatingthe position of the switch 26. For this purpose, an indicating lamp 33is connected through wires 34 to the respective terminals 22h and 22o ofthe terminal block 2. With such connections, it should be apparent thatthe lamp 33 will be controlled by the switch 26 independently of thethermostat 3i The lamp 33 is preferably located in the lower portion ofthe interior of the cabinet O and may be mounted in a conventionalmanner on the lining 9a.

From the above, it is seen that the heating element i9 will be energizedonly when the shelves S are in a downwardly displaced position and atsuch times will be controlled by the thermostat 3l to maintain asubstantially constant temperature in the cabinet O. Material to beheated in the cabinet O, such as dough 35 contained in pans 36, may beplaced upon the upper shelf S, as shown in Fig. 1, and the lower shelfS, as shown in Fig, 3. The springs l1 are of such strength that theweight of materials to be heated in the cabinet O may readily deect theshelves S downwardly to cause closure of the switch 2B. The.

lower ends of the members i5 project downwardly to such a distance thatthe same will constitute stops for limited downward movement portion ofone of the end walls 6.

Upward movement of the shelves S will be limited by the toggle handle26a of the switch 26 reaching its upward limit of movement. Thusportions of the switch 25 constitute stop means for limiting upwardmovement of the shelves S.

The primary object of my oven is the raising of bread dough, such as thedough 35` in the pans 36, and I provide means for automaticallyproducing a signal or indication .when the dough has raised to apredetermined extent. I also so construct the indicating means that thesame may be adjustable to provide for bodies of dough of differentthicknesses and to provide for giving a signal upon the attainment ofvarious degrees of raising the dough 35. Generally stated, theindicating means referred to consists of an electrical indicating deviceof suitable form controlled by electrical contacts which are actuated bya vertical shiftable element. Positioned to be engaged and lifted by thevdough G5, when the same has raised to a predetermined extent. Whilesuch indicating apparatus may be constructed in various ways, I preferto use the construction shown in the drawings. v I provide a pair ofparallel elongated elements' 37 which are disposed one above the otherand extend generally in a horizontal direction. The inner ends of theelongated elements 3l are pivotally connected by means of pivot bolts 38to supporting elements 39 secured to the inner side of the upper 'Illeparts described are so arranged that the elongated elements 3l extend toa point centrally located a moderate distance above the upper shelf Sand are angularly deflected upwardly and downwardly. The outer ends ofthe elongated elements 3l are shiftably connected to a frame t@ whereinan electric contact structure or switch is provided, as will bedescribed. The elongated elements 3l, the supporting elements 39 and theframe d, together constitute an upwardly and downwardly shiftable arm ofparallelogram form.

The frame it may consist of a block of electrical insulating material.'Ihe block ed is provided witha slot ella extending from `the front torear thereof medially between the upper and lower limits` thereof andfacing toward the elongated elements 3l. An upper contact il is placedagainst the portion of the block d dening the upper limits of the slotella. The contact il carries a terminal stud dla extending through theupper portion of the block d, as shown. The lower contact @l2 is carriedby a resilient metallic finger 42a which is secured to the block lil bymeans of a terminal screw @2b. Below the contact d2, is a plunger 42edisposed vertically in an aperture extending vertically through thelower portion of the block d so that the plunger iZc may be shiftedvertically to close the contacts el and d2. A pin 2d is disposed in adiametrical aperture in the plunger 652e to constitute stop means forlimiting downward movement of the plunger d20. The lower end of theplunger @2c carries an elementv i3 adapted for engagement by doughraising therebelow. The element 'i3 is preferably of such shape that itsdownwardly facing side is of convex nature, as shown. The contacts diand 42 are utilized to control an electrical circuit from the powersupply cord 25 to a buzzer 44 mounted within the cabinet O. The buzzeris connected through a wire '35 to one of the wires 23 and throughanother wire E to the terminal stud dla. 'I'he terminal screw 42h isconnected through a wire 4l to the remaining one of the aimes.;

wires 23, whereby a circuit vfrom the power supply cord 25 to the buzzer44 willbe completed through the pair of contacts 4I and 42 when the sameare closed.

As described above, the arm comprising the elongated elements 31 isangularly deectable upwardly and downwardly and it should be apparentthat the parallelogram construction described will result in the block40'moving vertically upwardly without tilting. Means is provided foryieldingly holding the elongated elements 31 in a vertically adjustedposition thereof. For this purpose, friction washers 43 are providedbetween one of the elements 31 and the respective supporting elements 39in encircling relation with the pivot bolt 33, as shown in Fig. 5.

To place pressure on the irictional pivot joint' described above, ahelical compression spring 3io is placed in encircling relation with thepivot bolt 33 outwardly of and in abutment with one of the supportingelements 39 and bearing at its outer end against a washer 33h disposedvinwardly of a nut 38e on the threaded outer end of the bolt 33,

as shown.

Means is provided externally of the cabinet O for adjustively shiftingthe elongated elements 31. A tubular element 49 is secured to one of theelongated elements 31 near the inner end thereoi.I and in substantiallyparallel relation thereto. The end wall 5 on which the elongatedelements 31 are mounted is apertured at 59 to accommodate an end portionof the tubular element 49 projecting therethrough. A handle 5i isprovided having a shank consisting of one portion 52 attached .to thehandle 5| and another portion 53 swingably connected to the firstportion 52 by mea'ns of a pivot pin 54. The portions 52 and 53 arearranged at the ends thereof receiving the pivot pin 54, so that theportions 52 and 53 may be brought into axial alignment with each other.For this purpose, one of the elements 52 and 53 is forked and the otheris diminished in thickness at the pivotal joint. The normal position ofthe handle and its shank portions 52 and 53 is shown in full lines inFig. 4. The same are in an outwardly disposed position, whereby thehandle 5i and shank portion 52 may depend from the shank portion 53. Astop pin 53a is provided in the inner end of the shank portion 53 toprevent withdrawal of the same from the tubular element 49. When it isdesired to adjust the position oi the elongated elements 31, the handle5i is raised to a position wherein the shank portions 52 and 53 are inaxial alignment. Then Athe handle 5l is thrust inwardly so that thepivotal joint and at least a portion of the shank element 52 is receivedin the tubular element 49. The parts are then disposed as shown indotted lines in Fig. 4, and the shank portion 52 and the handle 5I are-in substantially rigid relation to the tubular element 49 and theelongated elements 31, whereby the handle 5I may be manipulated to raiseand lower the elongated elements-31 and the switch device carried bytheir outer ends.

In the normal use of the above described apparatus, pans 36 containingdough 35 may be placed on the shelves. S, whereby the switch 25 will beclosed. The arms 31 are then adjusted to a suitable level above a pan ofdough disposed under the convex element 43. 'I'he level at which theconvex element 43 is adjustably positioned is determined by thethickness of the body of dough 35 and the extent to which the dough isdesired to raise in order to produce an indicating operation of thebuzzer 44. The cabinet may then be left unattended and through apparatusprevivously described will be maintained at a substantially constanttemperature. The thermostatic element 3l should be adjusted to maintaina temperature conducive to the best results in raising of the dough 35.When the buzzer operates, the user ot the cabinet will thus be advisedthat the raising process has been completed and may removed and thelarge receptacles may be placed on the lower grid II.

20 It is to be understood that the cabinet O may,

if desired, be comprised in the structure of a cooking range or thelike. y

My dough-raising cabinet described above has been found to be veryeffective, highly efficient in the consumption of electrical energy, andreli- A able in operation.

It is apparent that I have invented a novel, eilective and inexpensiveform of dough-raising cabinet including means for automatic temperaturecontrol and automatic indications. While the apparatus has beendescribed and illustrated in a iorm adapted particularly to raising ofdough, it should be apparent that the apparatus is easily adaptable foruse in other processes wherein heating of materials is involved.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made inthe form, details, proportions and arrangements of the parts withoutdeparting from the scope of my invention, which, generally stated,consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects above setforth, and in the novel parts and combinations of parts disclosed anddeiined in the claims.

What is claimed isz- Y 1. A dough' raising cabinet comprising a doorequipped casing, an electrical heating element of relatively lowcapacity within said casing for maintaining the interior of the cabinetat a proper temperature for dough raising, dough supporting means withinsaid cabinet, an electrical switch associated with said dough supportingmeans and said electrical heating element and operable to close anelectrical circuit to said heating element upon the deposit of doughthrough said door on said supporting means, thermostatic means Withinsaid cabinet associated with said heating element for controlling thesaxne to maintain a substantially constant predetermined temperaturewithin said cabinet during periods when said switch is closed, an alarmdevice and upwardly deflectable means for actuating said alarm devicedisposed above said dough supporting means to be actuated by doughthereon when the ed for vertical deflection within limits, resilientmeans normally holding said shelf at its upper limit of deection andyieldable to permit downward deiection of said shelf to its lower limitof deflection responsive to placement of dough thereon, an electricalswitch operated by deection of said shelf and associated with saidheating element in such manner that such heating element will beoperative only While said shelf is in the downwardly deilected positionthereof, thermostatic means within saidcasing and associated with saidheating element for controlling tive to said shelf.

ENOS C. FRISE.

